OKEECHOBEE — A man found passed out on the ground beside a running vehicle was charged with DUI on Saturday night.

His bond was set at $1,000.

At approximately midnight on Saturday, Aug. 3, Olger Alberto Cano-Castillo, 36, Northwest Seventh Street, was allegedly found passed out in a yard on Southwest 33rd Circle. According to the report, he was originally found by Florida State Trooper Guerrero, who called the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office and emergency medical services. When Deputy Ben Vuleta arrived, he found a male lying on the ground next to a 2003, four-door Kia. The vehicle was still running, with the key in the ignition, and he noted, it appeared as if the man had just fallen out of the driver’s side door onto the ground. The vehicle was halfway on the driveway and in the grass, and there was an opened alcoholic container in the center cup holder. The beverage was cool to the touch and still had liquid inside. It was labeled Bud Light and smelled like alcohol, he noted.

Trooper Guerrero and Deputy Vuleto attempted to awaken the male and reportedly noticed his eyes were red and watery. He smelled of alcohol and appeared to have urinated on himself, the report noted. The male, who was identified as Cano-Castillo, reportedly said he pulled into this driveway because he was too drunk to drive home. After a field sobriety test, he was arrested and transported to the Okeechobee County jail. He was charged with DUI and given a bond of $750, and he was charged with operating a motor vehicle without a license. The bond for that offense was set at $250, bringing his total bond to $1,000.

OKEECHOBEE — A woman is charged with grand theft after allegedly finding a phone valued at $900 and keeping it, rather than attempting to return it to the owner.

Her bond was set at $1,000.

On Aug. 3, Okeechobee Police Officer Jessica Francis responded to a call at a local pizzeria in reference to a theft around 5:15 p.m. According to the report, a couple ate dinner at the restaurant and afterward, he accidentally left his phone on the table. When they returned to the restaurant a few minutes later, the phone was gone, and no one knew where it was, but they had GPS tracking enabled on the phone and watched as the phone began to move down the road.

Officer Francis and the couple followed the phone to Dewberry Gardens and then saw it move toward Dean’s Court, and Officer Francis contacted a unit in the area. As she called out the movement of the phone to them, they were able to locate a vehicle driving the same path, and Officer Jason Gavern initiated a traffic stop on a maroon van containing two occupants.

One of the occupants was identified as Penny Gallarday, 59, Southwest 15th Street, and she reportedly admitted to having the phone, but said she found it on the sidewalk. When she was asked what her intentions were, she reportedly said she “just figured she had a new phone.”

The phone was returned to the owner who said he wanted to pursue charges. Gallarday was transported to the Okeechobee County Jail for booking.

OKEECHOBEE — Imagine waking up to find a man leaning over your bed. Well, that’s exactly what happened to Matthew and Deborah Mansfield early Thursday morning, Aug. 8, in their home out in Four Seasons. Mrs. Mansfield said she was awakened by her dogs barking and thought they were barking at her son who usually comes in from work around that time. But, when she looked at one of her small dogs, he had his tail between his legs, and his hair was standing up. He would not be scared of my son, she thought. Then, she looked over and saw a man in the doorway, who walked over to her and told her she needed to come with him because he was going to save her from her husband, because she was in danger. Then he started reaching for her, she said.

It was at that point, Mr. Mansfield walked into the room and realized what was going on. He told the man to get out, and asked him what gave him the right to come in their house, and the man replied, “God did. I can do anything I want. I am Jesus Christ.” It took quite a bit of persuasion to convince the man, but he finally left, and Mrs. Mansfield called the sheriff’s office as Mr. Mansfield sat down with a cup of coffee.

Before Deputy Ben Vuleta arrived, the man re-entered the home. This time, he was screaming about an asteroid falling to Earth and saying everyone was going to die. He wanted them to come with him to the corner of the field. Mr. Mansfield jumped from his chair and chased the man out of the house and down the road.

According to Mrs. Mansfield, when Deputy Vuleta arrived and they caught the man, he was taken to the hospital.

A neighbor, Jose Leon, said the man knocked on his door as well, but Mr. Leon did not answer.

OKEECHOBEE — A family was reportedly accosted in the parking lot of the McDonald’s restaurant on State Road 70 East just before noon on Wednesday, July 17. Jamey Louis Douglas, 46, Southeast Sixth Avenue, was arrested Aug. 6 by Okeechobee Police Officer Brandi Drapal and charged with felony battery, second or subsequent offense.

His bond was set at $7,500.

According to the report, the complainant and his family, consisting of himself, his sister and three children, were sitting in their vehicle in the McDonald’s parking lot finishing up their meal. They finished their meal and neared the stop sign on Northeast Fourth Avenue when a man on a bicycle, later identified as Jamey Douglas, approached the vehicle. Douglas was reportedly screaming and cussing, “Why did you try to run me over?” The complainant reported he attempted to calm Douglas down but Douglas continued to curse and scream and kick the car.

The complainant exited the car, leaving the driver’s side door open, and attempted to deescalate the situation. Douglas allegedly went to the door and said, “I’m going to steal your car.” The complainant told him his children were in there, and that would be kidnapping, and he went toward Douglas. At that point, Douglas reportedly began throwing objects and striking the complainant. He threw a silver Yeti-type cup and a phone charger and struck the complainant in the arms with it, the report notes. The complainant never struck Douglas, though.

McDonald’s surveillance video was viewed, but no camera faces that area. Video does show Douglas ride up to McDonald’s and enter the restaurant.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, Officer Drapal was patrolling the area near Wendy’s restaurant when she saw a man matching the description of the suspect riding a bicycle and she stopped him to question him. Officer Trenton Moutschka arrived and they arrested him for battery. When questioned, Douglas reportedly said he did remember the incident and wanted to tell his side of the story, but the report does not give that information.

A witness to the crime backed up the story of the complainant.

PALM BEACH COUNTY — Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County needs your help in locating Bonason Barthelus, 25, black male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 190 pounds, black hair, brown eyes and he has multiple tattoos.

His last known address was on Southwest Fifth Street in Belle Glade.

Barthelus is wanted on a felony warrant for violation of probation for two counts of battery and resisting arrest without violence.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-458-TIPS (8477), or remain anonymous by downloading the new app “Connect & Protect,” “See Something Say Something” for any Apple or Android smartphone.

OKEECHOBEE — A man was arrested after he pulled out of a store parking lot without fastening his seatbelt first and was then reportedly found to have drugs in his possession. He was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of Oxycodone and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. His bond was set at $30,000.

On Tuesday, Aug. 13, a member of the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a green Dodge pickup truck because the driver was reportedly not wearing his seatbelt. The driver was identified as Ralph Gene Harmon, 52, of Kenansville. When the detective made contact with him, he explained to him that he stopped him because he was not wearing his seatbelt, and Harmon reportedly told the detective he had just pulled out of the store. The report notes Harmon’s hands appeared to be shaking as he held his registration.

The detective then asked if there were any weapons or drugs in the vehicle and Harmon reportedly denied consent to search the vehicle. City Police Officer Luis Rojas arrived to assist and a K9 officer was requested as backup. When the K9 officer arrived, both Harmon and his passenger were asked to exit the vehicle and the narcotics-trained K9 conducted a free-air sniff to attempt to detect the odor of illegal narcotics around the exterior of the vehicle. The K9 alerted to the truck, and Harmon was asked to empty his pockets. In his pockets, they allegedly found methamphetamine, Oxycodone and Morphine. He was arrested and transported to the Okeechobee County Jail. He was also issued a citation for not wearing a seatbelt, and his truck was turned over to his wife, who is the registered owner.

OKEECHOBEE — On Friday, Aug. 9, an Okeechobee man was arrested after he was allegedly caught trying to leave the scene of a traffic accident with a child sitting next to him on the front seat of his pickup truck and then he tried to fight the officers who stopped him.

He was charged with child neglect without great harm, DUI, assault on law enforcement officers, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license and obstruction without violence. His bond was set at $15,500.

Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Shane Bogner responded to a call at State Road 78 West and U.S. 441 Southeast pertaining to a traffic crash. When he arrived, he found a white Ford van and a green Toyota pickup. As he approached, he reportedly observed the driver of the pickup, identified as James Edward Cypress, 33, attempting to put the pickup in drive. Seated next to him was a child. Deputy Bogner ordered him to exit the vehicle, and he reportedly became belligerent. Deputy Bogner also noted Cypress had red, watery eyes and smelled strongly of alcohol.

While Deputy Bogner was speaking with another deputy, Cypress allegedly jumped up with his fists balled and advised them he wanted to fight. He was immediately taken to the ground and restrained. Cypress reportedly refused medical treatment and was taken to the Okeechobee County Jail.

OKEECHOBEE — A 79-year-old man was arrested following a traffic accident on Saturday, Aug. 10 at approximately 7 p.m. He was charged with DUI, and his bond was set at $1,000.

Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Pollock responded to a call pertaining to a traffic crash in the 3600 block of State Road 70 East and reportedly found a tan Nissan car facing westbound on the east side of a small ditch bank on the east side of State Road 70 East. He spoke with Deputy Quintin Speed, who had arrived before him, and Deputy Speed told him a witness had observed the vehicle at the intersection of State Road 70 and State Road 710. The witness reported the vehicle went past the stop bar and partially into the roadway before stopping.

The driver of the Nissan was identified as Lakram Basdeo Baijnauth of Fort Pierce. Deputy Pollock noted the driver’s eyes were red and watery and his breath smelled of alcohol. He also noted Baijnauth’s words were slurred, but he was unsure whether this was due to his accent. Baijnauth reportedly told Deputy Pollock he was coming from the casino and was on his way home to Fort Pierce.

A witness to the accident said he first saw the vehicle at the intersection of 710 and 70 and observed the car stop past the stop bar and into the roadway. After the light turned green, he saw the car accelerate at a high rate of speed and then at the 3400 block of State Road 70 East, he saw the car run off the roadway onto the median, lose control and then cross back over into the eastbound lanes before striking the curb and going through the ditch backwards before coming to a rest.

After a field sobriety test, Baijnauth was arrested and transported to the Okeechobee County Jail.

SEBRING – Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have arrested three of four suspects charged with stealing 16 four-wheel-drive trucks throughout Highlands, Glades, Okeechobee and Polk counties from 2016 to 2018. FDLE began its investigation in 2018.

Investigators say the theft ring stole trucks totaling more than $300,000 in value for the purpose of trading them to a drug trafficking organization in Highlands County for methamphetamine drugs. The suspects were planning to use the drugs for their personal use. Over the course of several months, FDLE agents arrested three suspects charged with stealing the trucks, but suspect Aubrey Lynn Waldron, 37, remains at large. Agents believe Waldron may be in the Okeechobee County area.
If you have information about the whereabouts of Aubrey Lynn Waldron, please contact FDLE at 1-800-342-0820 or Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office at 863-763-3117.

Three additional suspects are in custody.

Ethan King, 24, of NE 6th Street, Okeechobee, was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit grand theft, grand theft, grand theft of a firearm, burglary of a conveyance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, dealing in stolen property.

Andrew Wheeler, 23, 2730 Hwy. 441 SE, Okeechobee, was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit grand theft, grand theft.

James Janata, 38, of Lake Drive West, Okeechobee, was arrested on charges of dealing in stolen property.

FDLE was assisted in this case by Highlands, Okeechobee and Glades sheriff’s offices and Seminole Tribe Police Department.

The case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

In conjunction with this case, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office arrested four additional suspects accused of running a drug trafficking organization in Highlands County.

OKEECHOBEE — On Friday, Aug. 16, at approximately 11:17am, the Okeechobee Police Department received a call from the Okeechobee Wal-Mart, 2101 S. Parrott Ave. Wal-Mart had received a call from an unknown source. The unknown claimed to have received an e-mail containing a gun threat against Walmart.

Exercising caution, the Okeechobee Wal-Mart employees called the Police Department and calmly closed the store for safety reasons. The Okeechobee City Police Department, Okeechobee City Fire Department, and Okeechobee County Fire Rescue were present and the store was thoroughly searched. No imminent danger was found and the store was reopened.

There are no known injuries and there appears to be no credible threat.

All known details are under investigation.

OKEECHOBEE — After allegedly fleeing law enforcement at a high rate of speed with two toddlers on the back seat of his vehicle without car seats, a man was arrested and charged with fleeing, eluding law enforcement with lights and siren active, two counts of intentional child abuse and driving without a license. His bond was set at $15,500.

Okeechobee County Sheriff Deputy Michael Cauley reportedly observed Jaylen Boswell, 21, Southwest 28th Street, get into the driver’s seat of a black Infinity car at the Racetrac gas station on Aug. 9 at approximately 9:15 p.m. Because he had knew from past dealings with Boswell that he did not have a license, the deputy ran the man’s name through dispatch to confirm this. After dispatch confirmed he had no valid license, Deputy Cauley observed the vehicle leave the parking lot.

As Deputy Cauley attempted to make a traffic stop, Boswell allegedly accelerated rapidly eastbound on State Road 70 East, made several turns and ran five stop signs, reaching speeds of 55 mph in areas where the posted speed limit is 25 mph before finally coming to a stop at the 200th of Northeast 15th Avenue. When the vehicle stopped, Deputy Cauley ordered Boswell to exit the vehicle but he reportedly refused all such orders.

At this time, City Police Officer Luis Rojas and Deputy Quintin Speed arrived as back up, and Boswell got out of the vehicle and was placed in restraints and arrested.

When Deputy Cauley looked in the vehicle, he found two children, ages 1 and 2 years sitting in the back seat without any type of child safety seats.

OKEECHOBEE – A deputy drove a woman home on Saturday, Aug. 10 at approximately 9 p.m., and then arrested her for domestic battery after they arrived. Her bond will be set at her first appearance.

Dispatch received a call last Saturday from a woman who said she was driving on Southwest 24th Avenue behind a white Toyota, and the passenger door kept opening. She followed the vehicle through several turns and eventually the car pulled over, and a female passenger got out. The caller pulled over and attempted to speak to her, but the woman did not want her help, and cursed at her.

Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Cauley arrived and made contact with the woman, who reportedly got irate and told him she did not need his help either, and she was just walking home. Deputy Cauley noted a strong odor of alcohol on her breath. She told him she had an argument with her boyfriend, and she didn’t want to argue anymore, so she got out of the vehicle to walk home.

Deputy Cauley told her she could not walk home because she was intoxicated, and she told him she did not have a phone or a ride, so he said he would take her home. When they arrived at the residence, Deputy Cauley asked her to get her boyfriend so he could speak with him, and she reportedly entered the home and began yelling at the boyfriend. The boyfriend went out onto the porch to speak with Deputy Cauley, but before he could answer any questions, the woman reportedly threw her shoes and struck him in the mid-section with them.

She was immediately arrested and transported to the Okeechobee County Jail.

HENDRY COUNTY — Law Enforcement will continue to show zero tolerance involving drunk or drugged driving. Hendry County Sheriff’s Office will have increased patrols, specifically looking for drunk and drugged driving during the three-week “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Nationwide Initiative. This will extend through Labor Day, Sept. 2.

Throughout the enforcement period, sheriff’s deputies will be on the lookout for motorists under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In Florida, it is illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration alcohol related crashes have a higher risk of serious bodily injury or death to occur. “We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend,” said Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden. “Before you leave for that holiday party, I want to urge everyone to make a plan to arrive home safely by always choosing a sober ride.”

It’s simple, don’t drink and drive.

OKEECHOBEE — Following a wild motorcycle ride, being tasered twice and then a foot chase, James Thomas Gainer Jr., 28, was arrested Aug. 14 by Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Pollock and charged with reckless driving, fleeing and eluding with disregard for public safety, driving on a suspended license, driving an unregistered vehicle and resisting arrest without violence. His bond was set at $10,000.

According to Deputy Pollock’s report, he was monitoring traffic in the 2600 block of Northwest 36th Street at approximately 7:30 p.m. when he observed a yellow 2005 Suzuki dirt bike pass him. As it passed him, he noticed the bike had no tag. Deputy Pollock pulled out onto Northwest 36th Street and activated his lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop, but the rider merged onto the sidewalk and accelerated, crossing several roadways without stopping. At the intersection of Northwest 19th Avenue and Northwest 36th Street, the rider drove into the eastbound ditch in an attempt to go south on Northwest 19th Avenue and lost control of the bike, going airborne and crashing into some brush.

Deputy Pollock exited his patrol car as the rider was getting to his feet, and ordered him to the ground, but he reportedly refused to comply and began to run. Deputy Pollock yelled that he was going to tase him and then drew his taser and deployed one cartridge in the center of his back, causing him to fall down, but he immediately got up and continued running east. Deputy Pollock deployed the second cartridge, causing him to fall again, but again, he got up and ran. This time, he ran south through a wooded area. Although Deputy Pollock gave chase, he lost sight of him and requested dispatch send K-9 backup to assist.

Other units arrived, and an unknown person told Detective Matthew Crawford they could find the rider at a home on Northwest 18th Avenue which was in the direction the rider had been heading. When Det. Crawford arrived at the residence, he found dirt bike tire tracks in the yard and driveway, and a perimeter was set up around the residence. When he made contact with the occupants of the residence, they refused to identify themselves but did confirm the rider was inside and agreed to get him to come outside.

After a short time, Gainer exited the building and was arrested.

OKEECHOBEE — A woman reportedly poured gasoline on a 73-year-old man and threatened to set him and his house on fire on Tuesday, Aug. 14, and then struck him with a metal chain and pushed him multiple times. Christine Marie Rubright, 45, was charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 years or older and with resisting arrest without violence. Her bond was set at $36,000.

According to the report by Okeechobee Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ashley Waskiewicz, the victim and Rubright have been in a relationship for approximately three years. He claimed she was angry with him and poured gasoline on him, all over the house and threatened to set everything on fire. He reported she then took a chain from the gate and struck his left arm. He said the argument continued into the residence and she pushed him several times, knocking items off the counter and onto the floor.

Upon entering the residence, Deputy Waskiewicz found the home disheveled with many items on the floor. Rubright was in the doorway of the bathroom, and Deputy Waskiewicz asked her to come speak with her, but she reportedly refused, and Deputy Waskiewicz noted, her eyes appeared bloodshot. Rubright appeared intoxicated and had a hard time keeping her balance, according to the deputy’s report. She also smelled of alcohol. At that point, the report notes, Rubright pulled down her shorts and underwear and leaving the door open, sat down on the toilet. Because there were multiple weapons in the residence, Deputy Waskiewicz left the door open to keep an eye on her.

When Deputy Waskiewicz attempted to arrest Rubright for aggravated battery, she reportedly pulled away and locked her hands in front of her until after a short struggle she was finally restrained. She was transported to the Okeechobee County jail.

OKEECHOBEE — After her home was nearly destroyed by a house fire, what remained of the woman’s belongings were stolen from the porch where she had been storing them, but a neighbor managed to capture the theft on film and called her to let her know what was happening. Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy Shane Bogner responded to her call at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Wed. Aug. 14. She explained she had recently had a house fire which destroyed almost her entire residence, and she had stored the few surviving belongings on the back porch of the property. She said her neighbor called her at 8:44 a.m. to tell her people were taking things from her property. She immediately drove to the property, and the neighbor gave her photographs of two individuals leaving the property with her belongings.

The photographs showed a white male, wearing black shorts, with short light colored hair, wearing no shirt but carrying two shirts on his left shoulder. He was pushing a red bicycle with large chrome front brakes and carrying a large wooden crate on the handle bars which the complainant identified as belonging to her. The second photograph showed a white female wearing dark leggings with a black stripe and a sleeveless black shirt. She was also wearing a blue headband and had dark hair. The female was riding a red bicycle with black handlebars.

On Thursday, Deputy Bogner was able to identify the male as Justin Simmons through several other deputies who had dealt with him in the past. He found Simmons had been arrested the night before on an out of county warrant and was being held in the Okeechobee County Jail. He contacted Simmons, and Simmons agreed to speak to him about the incident.

Justin Cole Simmons, 37, Southeast 34th Avenue was arrested Aug. 15 by Deputy Bogner and charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied structure and petit theft. His bond was set at $10,500.

The identity of the female is unknown at this time.

PALM BEACH COUNTY — Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County needs your help in locating Wilson Poola, 36, white, male, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 240 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes and he has multiple tattoos.

His last known address was at large in South Bay.

Poola is wanted on a warrant for failure to appear to answer for charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury, driving without a license causing serious bodily injury or death; and a violation of supervised own recognizance for charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and driving without a license causing serious bodily injury or death.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-458-TIPS (8477), or remain anonymous by downloading the new app “Connect & Protect,” “See Something Say Something” for any Apple or Android smartphone.

OKEECHOBEE — A 74-year-old woman was arrested Thursday, Aug. 15, and charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant woman after allegedly intentionally striking a visibly pregnant woman in the abdomen as she exited Walmart at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Irene Ann Dopman’s bond was set at $10,000.

Okeechobee police officer Brandi Drapal responded to a call in reference to an assault complaint and made contact with the victim, who said she was shopping at Walmart with her mother and her child, and as she was leaving through the grocery exit, a woman, later identified as Irene Dopman, and a man were entering the store. Dopman was just standing there, she said, so she thought maybe she wanted some space. Then the victim began moving toward the exit, and she reported Dopman came toward her and hit her right in the stomach as she walked by. The victim said, “Excuse me! You just hit me.” She then asked an employee for help and was advised to call the police. She went out to the parking lot and called the police.

When Dopman approached the exit and noticed Officer Drapal waiting there, she reportedly detoured into Subway, but agreed to talk to the officer when asked. However, according to the report, she told several different stories about the incident. When Officer Drapal interviewed the man with Dopman, he said he did not see anything.

Officer Drapal made contact with Carl from Walmart’s asset protection team, and together they viewed surveillance footage of the incident which reportedly matched the victim’s statement.

The report states the victim is visibly four to five months pregnant, and this would be obvious to anyone looking at her. Dopman was transported to the Okeechobee County Jail. The victim was transported to Raulerson Hospital by Okeechobee Fire Rescue.

OKEECHOBEE — After a passing driver noticed what he thought was suspicious activity behind a gas station on Southeast 34th Avenue, he called the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office to report a possible drug deal. On Saturday, Aug. 17, at approximately 8 p.m., Deputy Kenneth Hernandez was dispatched to the location. The deputy found three men and one woman behind the gas station, and he asked all four to identify themselves.

One of the men, Robert Hysell, 54, Northeast 29th Avenue, reportedly kept putting his hands in his pockets while they were talking, and Deputy Hernandez asked him not to put his hands in his pockets, but he continued to do it. Deputy Hernandez asked for permission to search him and Hysell agreed. In his pocket, Deputy Hernandez allegedly found a pocket knife and synthetic cannabinoid. Hysell was arrested and charged with possession of synthetic cannabinoid. His bond was set at $5,000.

All three of the other people reportedly gave permission for Deputy Hernandez to search them.

Scott Carnley, 31, Southeast 10th Street, was arrested and charged with possession of synthetic cannabinoid and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $6,000.

The report notes, the other two had nothing on their persons and were not detained.

OKEECHOBEE — On Sunday, Aug. 18, a woman called the Okeechobee City Police Department after she was approached by a suspicious person. As Officer Savanna Smith and Sgt. Cesar Romero arrived at the complainant’s residence, Sgt. Romero observed a white truck in the alley across from her home. He saw a teen boy and a teen girl near the truck and both fled when they saw him, the report notes. Sgt. Romero and another officer set up a perimeter while officer Smith spoke to the complainant.

The woman explained she had been approached by a young teen boy at the end of her driveway. She said he was wearing a pair of black shorts and had no shirt on. She said she could not understand what he was saying and at one point he lunged at her, so she decided it would be best to leave and call the police.

Officer Smith approached the truck and noticed it was running and the windows were down. When she called the tag numbers in to dispatch, they advised the vehicle was stolen out of Palm Beach County, and at that time, Officer Cody Daigneault located the two teens in a wooded area and had them detained.

Detective Bettye Taylor interviewed the two juveniles. The 15-year-old girl reportedly said she and 15-year-old Jordan Rickards had been friends for four years. She said she did not know the truck was stolen, and said Jordan picked her up in front of La Fiesta. She was released into her mother’s custody.

Rickards, a run away from Palm Beach County, was charged with grand theft auto and turned over to the department of juvenile justice.